ASD Weekly Community Bulletin
News and Events from the Anacortes School District
On the calendar
- March 5: School Board Site Visit, Anacortes Middle School (8-10:30 a.m.)
- *March 13 is a regular school day
- March 24: School Board Site Visit, Anacortes High School (1-2:45 p.m.) and Business Meeting (3:15 p.m.)
Dr. Justin Irish named new superintendent
The Anacortes School Board has named Dr. Justin Irish as its new superintendent. Irish currently serves as the assistant superintendent for the Edmonds School District. The board approved Irish’s appointment in a unanimous vote on Friday, February 28, 2020. Irish is scheduled to begin on July 1, 2020.
Irish was selected from a large pool of well-qualified applicants for his demonstrated collaborative leadership qualities, focus on equity and team building, and a commitment to student achievement.
“We were particularly impressed with Dr. Irish’s dedication to all students and his equity work,” said board president Bobbilyn Hogge. “Dr. Irish also has proven success with systems alignment, inclusive practices and cohesive leadership. We believe he will be an excellent fit for our schools and our community.”
The board also noted that Dr. Irish had excellent references from a range of colleagues including teachers, administrators, and union representatives.
During the interview process, Dr. Irish expressed a strong interest in Anacortes and its schools.
“I was attracted to this position based on the strength of the schools and the beauty of the community,” said Irish. “I look forward to working with the team to continue the positive work that has already been done.”
Irish will lead the day-to-day operations of the school district, its approximately 400 employees, and manage the $40 million budget.
Hogge also appreciated the broad community involvement and support in the superintendent search process.
“We knew the importance of this decision for our students, staff, parents, and community members and their input in the search process was invaluable,” said Hogge. “We are incredibly grateful for their insight, engagement, and time commitment.”
Three finalists visited the district this week, touring schools, meeting with staff, students, and community members and leading a public forum.
Irish will take over the superintendent position from Dr. Mark Wenzel who has accepted a position directing an international school in Singapore after seven years leading Anacortes schools.
Questions? Contact Bobbilyn Hogge, bhogge@asd103.org, (360) 708-9128, or Torhil Ramsay, tramsay@asd103.org, (360) 503-1211
Upcoming Sub Orientations
Upcoming sub orientations:
Tuesday, March 17 - 9-11 a.m.
Wednesday, April 15, 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Please register on our website prior to attending a sub orientation.
Questions? Contact Human Resources at (360) 503-1203, or hr@asd103.org
We're hiring!
http://www.asd103.org/departments_and_programs/human_resources
The Anacortes Branch of the American Association of University Women will award STEM scholarships to Anacortes middle and high school girls at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, March 12 at the Anacortes Library. Three AHS senior girls will each receive $1500 for achievement in the fields of math, science, and technology. Four AMS eighth grade girls will receive $100 awards for high performance in science and math. The featured speaker will be Kelly Valentin, an Associate Architect with Underwood and Associates, LLC in Anacortes. For more information, visit anacortes-wa.aauw.net
After School Arts Classes for Kids - new days!
After School Spanish Classes for Kids - new days!
Anacortes Blackhawks Baseball - Team Search
Anacortes Boys & Girls Club Enrollment Info
Anacortes Food to Go - This is a weekend backpack food program for Anacortes students. If you are in need, please contact Food to Go - (360) 708-3037 or ftgAnacortes@gmail.com
AHS PTSA Hanging Flower Basket - Order Form
Anacortes Little League: Sign up now for Anacortes Little League! Rookie, T-Ball and Challenger divisions are open for registration until early March. Learn more and register today at www.AnacortesLittleLeague.com. Play ball!
Anacortes Parks & Rec Programs:
There are many more APRD recreation opportunities listed in our Winter A-Town Publication which can be found online HERE. The Spring/Summer edition of the A-Town will be available at the end of April. Registration for Spring/Summer programs and events will take place at that time.
Anacortes Parks & Recreation Youth Track and Field Program
Put on those running shoes, warm-up your throwing arm, and get ready to have some fun. Boys and girls in grades 1st-6th are eligible to participate in a fun and exciting program. Kids will have the opportunity to learn the basic FUNdamentals of sprinting, mid-distance and distance running, long jump, high jump, shot-put, discus, and safety javelin. Participants will also have the opportunity to test their skills in an organized track meet on the last day of the program, and ribbons will be handed out to all competitors. The details are as follows.
Mondays, April 13 – May 4
5:30-6:45pm
Rice Field (Track and field area behind the AHS)
Cost is $20
Registration is currently open you can register by CLICK HERE
Anacortes Public Library February Calendar
Anacortes Public Library March Calendar
Anacortes Public Library Jazz at the Library
Anacortes Robotics Booster Club (ARBC)
We sponsor robotics teams within the FIRST progression of programs at all grade levels (K-12). Visit the ARBC website to learn more, or e-mail us at info@AnacortesRobotics.org with questions. Each program level has its own calendar of important dates for team formation, meetings, and tournaments.
ABRC FIRST Lego League JR Boomtown Build
ABRC FIRST Lego League City Shaper
Class Act - K - 2nd: Born To Be Wild
Fridays
April 17th -- May 22nd
4:15 – 5:30 pm
$100
Breaking news! The jungle animals are electing a new King of The Jungle! Which animal will tell a story that results in them winning the election? In this class, each student will create a unique personality for a jungle animal character to help tell this story. This play will be performed on the last day of class. Each day of class, students will also have the chance to play fun theatre games and work on their acting skills.
https://acttheatre.com/spring-menu/ or call 360-293-6829
Winter CSA Opportunity in Anacortes
Boldly Grown Farm is a certified organic farm in Skagit Valley. Our family farm grows fall & winter vegetables to feed our community during the typical off-season. Our Winter CSA (community supported agriculture) program has expanded to Anacortes this season! We are excited to partner with the Island Hospital Health Resource Center as a drop site.
With our CSA share, you can look forward to:
- 12 bountiful, biweekly veggie boxes from late October through early April
- High-quality, certified organic produce, from staples to specialty items
- Value-added products like kraut, chili powder and more
- Produce storage tips and recipes from your food-loving farmers
- Convenient drop sites in Seattle, Skagit Valley and Bellingham
All the details are on our website, so head on over to learn more about our CSA program and sign up to get your share at Island Hospital. We hope you'll consider joining us for a winter of local, sustainable—and of course, delicious!—eating.
Deception Pass Fun Run - March 29
Dogs on Call - Volunteer Opportunity - We need YOU and YOUR PET to help kids in need with Dogs on Call! If you are interested, click on the flyer!
Elks National Hope Shoot Free Throw Contest
All fourth graders are eligible to see America’s natural wonders and historic sites for free through the Every Kid Outdoors Program! This program provides fourth graders and their families access to public lands (NATIONAL PARKS, FORESTS, WILDLIFE AREAS, BLM, ETC.) for one year. Passes can be printed and brought with the child on their park visit. Encourage fellow educators, parents and friends with fourth graders to download their Every Kid Outdoors pass today!
Fidalgo DanceWorks is now accepting new students of all ages! Ballet, jazz, tap, modern and many more classes are currently enrolling for September. Please see our full schedule at www.fidalgodanceworks.org. Classes are filling fast!
Friends of Skagit Beaches Winter Lecture Series : Saltwater Beavers: Engineers in the Tidal Marsh: Dr. W. Gregory Hood, senior research scientist, Skagit River System Cooperative, will discuss how beavers are thriving in tidal marshes from Alaska to Oregon. These resourceful critters are constructing valuable low-tide habitats that protect juvenile salmon and other small fish. Friday, Feb. 21, 2020. Northwest Ed. Services District Bldg., 1601 R Ave., Anacortes, WA. 7:00pm – 8:30pm. Sponsored by Friends of Skagit Beaches. Lectures are free and open to all ages. (Donations are welcome). For more information about this and other upcoming Lecture Series topics please visit www.skagitbeaches.org
Foster Care Family Recruitment
History Day- Interested in good news about young people?
If you have a few minutes to explore what History Day is about, you can find information about the national program at www.nhd.org and information about Washington History Day as a program of the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction at https://www.k12.wa.us/student-success/resources-subject-area/social-studies/national-history-day-washington-state.
The Washington State Historical Society provides supporting information at http://www.washingtonhistory.org/education/historyday/.
In addition to explanations of what History Day is and what its value is to participating students, you will see examples of good student work.
Time commitment can be as little as one Saturday morning (7March20) or a few hours on your own time at your computer whenever you like in February.
Anacortes Middle School students will be among the participants for the third time in school history. One group of students took their work all the way to the national contest at the University of Maryland in June of 2018.
Randy Schnabel, Coordinator
Northwest Region History Day
206-465-0317
Kaleidoscope Play and Learn Classes
Museum of Northwest Art in La Conner: http://www.monamuseum.org/family-youth-programming
NAMI Family to Family Course - Register by March 2
Salish Sea School: This summer, learn how students can help the endangered orcas!
Join us for four fun days where we explore the Salish Sea's ecosystem connection from water quality to whales.
Enrollment is open today for "Guardians of the Sea" at TheSalishSeaSchool.org.
Space is limited (5 students max per session).
Guardians of the Sea Jr (10-12 year olds)
Guardians of the Sea I (13-17 year olds)
We have 5 student scholarships left! thesalishseaschool.org/scholarship-application
Secret Harbor - Foster Parent Info
Skagit Conservation District Poster Contest
Skagit Parent 2 Parent February Newsletter
WWU Youth Programs want you! – to come join us and explore our marine science programs.
Western Washington University Youth Program is offering several opportunities for school age students in 2020 at Shannon Point Marine Center in Anacortes.
Coming this winter/spring:
Friday March 13th, 6-9pm: Kids Night Out @ Western – Anacortes: Students in grades K-5 join us for an evening of hands on marine science activities and learning.
Learn more and register on our website: https://oce.wwu.edu/youth-programs/programs/kids-night-out-western-know-anacortes
Registration ends March 8th, 2020
Find out more about other programs in Anacortes and Bellingham at our website:
Nondiscrimination: The Anacortes School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:
K.C. Knudson, Civil Rights Compliance/ RCW Coordinator, (360) 503-1214, kknudson@asd103.org
Fran McCarthy, Section 504/ ADA Coordinator, (360) 503-1216, fmccarthy@asd103.org
Connie Sheridan, Title IX Coordinator, (360) 503-1221, csheridan@asd103.org
Written complaints to: 2200 M Avenue, Anacortes, WA 98221
The Anacortes School District provides interpretation services upon request as needed. Please contact the Student Support Services Department for more information: (360) 503-1216.
Anacortes School District
Email: information@asd103.org
Website: www.asd103.org
Location: 2200 M Avenue, Anacortes, WA, USA
Phone: 360-503-1200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnacortesSchoolDistrict/
Twitter: @AnacortesSchool